Client Service Protocol

Network architecture is the configuration of servers providing services to clients.

In networking, there are two basic architectures: Client-Server and Peer-to-Peer. In the Peer-to-Peer architecture two computers contact each other in order to share data and fulfill requests. In Client-Server, the client requests a service from a server.

Features

A distinguishing feature of Client-Server architecture is that the server is passive. It offers services, but does nothing until a client contacts it. The client always initiates contact with a request, the server provides the service as a response.

Function

Having centralized services avoids redundancy of data and software. Servers provide central file storage and hold applications. In "Thin Client" architecture, the client has almost no processing capabilities and relies entirely on the server for operating resources.

Configuration

Client-Server is not always a two-computer relationship. Sometimes, more than one server is involved in the transaction, such as when a Web server refers to a data server in order to fulfill a client's request.

References

• "Faqs.org": Client/Server Frequently Asked Questions